Shipbuilding projects to equip the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard—National Shipbuilding Strategy: February 2012 to December 2015 status report

Large vessels

Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships

The Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships will conduct armed sea-borne surveillance in Canada's waters, including in the Arctic. They will enhance the government's ability to assert Canadian sovereignty and provide surveillance and support to other government departments.

Project status: Build phase. Build Contract awarded in January 2015.

Number of vessels to be built: 6

Built at: Halifax Shipyard

Built for: Royal Canadian Navy

Project budgetFootnote 1: Set in 2007, approximately $3.5 billion (updated in 2014)

Build contract value: $2.3 billion

First vessel to be delivered: 2018

Progress: As at December 31, 2015 construction of the first vessel was approximately four weeks behind schedule on a 178-week program to deliver the first vessel, which represents a 2.25% delay. The project is on budget and delivery of the first vessel is scheduled for 2018.

Canadian Surface Combatant

The Canadian Surface Combatant fleet will be capable of meeting multiple threats in both open oceans and complex coastal environments ensuring that Canada continues to monitor and defend its waters. This fleet will replace the Royal Canadian Navy's Iroquois-class destroyers and the Halifax-class frigates.

Project status: Definition phase. Definition support contract signed in July 2015.

Number of vessels to be built: Up to 15

Built at: Halifax Shipyard

Built for: Royal Canadian Navy

Project budget: Set in 2008, under review

Build contract to be awarded: 2021

Progress: 12 companies have been prequalified to participate in the procurement process. An opportunity to reduce technical risk and to start construction faster has been identified.

Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels

The Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels will provide an important platform from which scientific research and ecosystem-based management can be performed. These floating laboratories will contribute to Canada’s stewardship of fishery and ocean resources. These vessels will replace the aging CCGS Teleost, CCGS Alfred Needler and CCGS W.E. Ricker on Canada's west and east coasts.

Project status: Build phase. Build Contract awarded in June 2015.

Number of vessels to be built: 3

Built at: Vancouver Shipyards

Built for: Canadian Coast Guard

Project budget: Set in 2007, approximately $687 million (updated in 2015)

Build contract value: $466 million

First vessel to be delivered: 2017

Progress: As at December 31, 2015, the shipyard was approximately 13 weeks behind on a 93-week construction schedule for the first Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel, which represents a 14% delay. The project is on budget and delivery of the first vessel is expected in 2017.

Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel

The Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel will be multi-task capable of oceanographic, fishery, geological and hydrographic survey missions. It will contribute directly to our understanding of the oceans and the impacts of climate change. It will be outfitted for scientific research on ocean currents and on the seabed. This vessel will replace the CCGS Hudson currently operating on Canada's east coast.

Progress: The design and engineering contract was awarded in November 2015 and work is underway to finalize the design to a production-ready state.

Joint Support Ships

The Joint Support Ships will increase the range and endurance of naval task groups, permitting them to remain at sea for significant periods of time without returning to port for replenishment. They will also provide a home base for helicopter maintenance and operation, a limited sealift capability and support to operations ashore. They will replace the Royal Canadian Navy's retired Protecteur-class auxiliary oiler replenishment vessels.

Project status: Definition phase. Long lead items contract signed in December 2015.

Number of vessels to be built: 2

Built at: Vancouver Shipyards

Built for: Royal Canadian Navy

Project budget: Set in 2008, under review

Build contract to be awarded: 2017

First vessel to be delivered: 2020

Progress: The initial engineering work is proceeding as planned. The long lead items contract was awarded in December 2015. The design and engineering contract to refine the design to a production-ready state is on track to be awarded by the summer of 2016 with a build contract at the end of 2017.

Polar Icebreaker

The Polar Icebreaker will be Canada’s largest and most capable icebreaker, and among the most powerful conventional icebreakers in the world. The flagship of Canadian Arctic presence, it will significantly enhance Canada’s ability to maintain on-water capability in the Arctic on a year-round basis. It will be able to consistently operate farther north, in more difficult ice conditions, and for a longer period of time each year than is currently the case. It will replace the Canadian Coast Guard's largest and most capable icebreaker, the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent. The new Polar Icebreaker will also be able to accommodate two medium-lift helicopters and will have cargo-carrying capacity.

Project status: Definition phase. Ancillary contract signed in August 2012.

Number of vessels to be built: 1

Built at: Vancouver Shipyards

Built for: Canadian Coast Guard

Project budget: Set in 2008, under review

Build contract to be awarded: 2018

First vessel to be delivered: 2021

Progress: Will be built after the Joint Support Ships. The Canadian Coast Guard is taking the necessary measures to keep the CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent in service until the Polar Icebreaker is delivered. The design and engineering contract for the Polar Icebreaker is planned to begin in 2017.